Aruba

[Liathain]

I would not take a woman to Vacation in Either Aruba or Curacao.

Neither location works well without a rental car & the list of interesting things to do will not last two weeks,
barely a few days at best, unless you spend everyday at the beach.

Male visitors go to these islands to hook up with the Campo or St Nick Ladies.
Not the local sights.

My vote would be Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

The Old Walled City itself is a very historically interesting place to explore, with plenty of shops which women love.
We spent three partial days checking it out before hitting the beach or hanging out at the apartment’s pool area.

Part day trips to La Popa - La Candelaria Convent and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas Fort are also great locations to visit.

You can also take a day trip to the Rosario Islands, 25 miles by a 600HP ‘Colombian Fast Boat’,
to the group of 27 tiny islands that also feature a ‘Colombian Marine World’ with good marine shows.

The trip also includes a buffet lunch and several hours on a private island to engage in beach time.
A Fantastic Day. We almost did it a second time.

Another great day trip is to the Botanical Gardens in Turbaco, a 60-minute drive south of the city via Taxi.
There is also the Mud Baths at the Totumo Volcano, another day trip you will need to hire a taxi for.

And of course there is the Beach. The water is warm and enjoyable to swim in.
Very different than the scene at North American or Caribbean beaches with vendors constantly cruising
by trying to sell you something, but they are polite and only trying to make a living.
Just say “No, gracias.” and they vanish.

The city is full of great places to eat to to suit any budget.

Nightclubs? More than you will ever need.

Do not stay in a Hotel. They are an overpriced rip-off:

You can rent an apartment from $65 a night on up, with all the comforts of home including:
security, wifi, TV, DVD players etc. and many also have pools.

Taxis are cheap and everywhere. I never considered renting a car there.
The money spent daily on taxis was next to nothing.

The list of activities is near endless.
Cartagena de Indias makes Aruba & Curacao look pretty sparse in comparison.

Just for a start here is a Cartagena de Indias things to do page to explore:
http://www.cartagenacaribe.com/en/wh...sdeinteres.htm

(Same report posted on Curacao page)

[Lucky Strike]

Curacao just seems to have more life to it in every possible way than Oranjestad. Oranjestad seems to be alot more laid back. If this is not the case, I hope someone will share that with me who has first hand experience, since I am just relying on information I have read from the internet.

CUR is more laid-back? i'm not so sure.
When it comes to "adult activities" Campo Alegre certainly has more "life" than anything you have in AUA. Regarding the typical tourist stuff, the high-rise hotel area in AUA is much more developed place. For $300/day you will have fun in either place.

[Oxymoron]

Blackhawk69

I always rent a car in Aruba.

You can either get one at the airport or some of the larger hotels.

It is not terribly expensive. Stay at a less expensive Hotel and then rent a car.

The best beaches are not in the Hotel areas, plus it makes it easy to hit the grocery store, shopping areas etc. Easy Island to drive on.

Later at night if your drinking hop on the bus.

Bring a small cooler in case you decide to hit some remote beaches.

Plus if you have a car you can hit the alleys in SN around 11AM while your GF sleeps.

Oxymoron

[PogoStick]

In your situation, Pos Chiquto would be tough. It is a wonderfull area but very limited in anything but peace and quiet.

I would probably recommend that you stay in the high rise area. You can easily walk the entire area and any kind of food/bar/casino/beach etc you want will be right there. But it is generally a bit more expensive, especially on the beach. The low rise area would be a good second choice.

Check out a couple of the off beach hotels like Brickell Bay or the Mill. There is still beach access at either place but you have to walk across the street. Also do a search on Kayak to see if there are any good deals out there. Priceline is a good option as well. I have picked up the Holiday Inn and the Marriott for under $100.

To explore the island you can take the bus and only use taxis for specific destinations.

Treat your girlfriend to a spa day and head to SN for a treat for yourself. For a one shot deal a taxi is OK. If you were going to SN daily that would be a problem...but once is no big deal.

pogo

When I was referring to partying, I was referring going out nightly to the conventional bars and discos. Since I am with my girlfriend, the chances of having the opportunity to stray away for other women is very slight at best, and she most certainly is not into that type of lifestyle at all, and if she knew I was, I would be nutless! lol

I am looking for a place to stay that will be close to restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and so forth, where I will not be having to spend over twenty five dollars or more a day on taxi fares, as this is just throwing money away for the most part, unless alternatives can't be found. Looking at the taxi info. provided by Liathain, it looks like it would be twenty dollars or more, no matter where I went one way.

Lastly, is it best I have accomodations closer to St. Nic or to Oranjestad, or are both these places about similar when it comes to conventional bars/discos, shopping, and restaurants? Looking at a Aruba map, St. Nic is looks like it is out in the middle of no-where.

I really like the place "Sea Breeze", recommended to me by Liathain, but I am trying to determine the cost to travel by taxi to Oranjestad, or to St.Nic.

Thanks again!

[Black Hawk69]

For those of you considering staying at the Seebreeze apartments, that have to rely on taxi's to get around, I received confirmation that it is a $22.00 dollar taxi fare to the city of Oranjestad.

[Liathain]

This is likely the cheapest way to get around.

http://aruba-guide.info/getting.around/buses/

http://www.visitaruba.com/about-aruba/

Google: Aruba Bus and many pages with schedules & maps can be found.

I always purchase a Map prior to going to a new location.

You can get one from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Laminated-Arub.../dp/386609342X

Where ever you elect to stay the management people at the front desk
will be able to direct you to the nearest bus stop.

Keep a lot of small bills and change in your pockets
as they only accept exact change.

I saw on some schedules that the buses run late into the night,
but you might want to take a taxi just to get home quicker.

Good Luck.

[Mel365]

Looks like a great hotel--thanks for the tip.
Mel

[Mel365]

I never took a taxi in Aruba , However looking at the rates that were posted I would guess that a one way trip from anywhere near the airport would be 20 dollars and from the low rise hotels 25 each way.
Have you looked at a map of Aruba. St Nicks is near nothing.

If you like swimming try to get to Baby Beach, it is shallow and calm ,particularly if your chica does not swim it is great.

Please post what is going on in St Nicks. there has not been a good report in many months.

Please pm me about your vision, I might have a solution.
Mel

[Lucky Strike]

Black Hawk69, IMHO it all depends on what you mean by "and at night the nightlife, as we both like to party" and your ability do rent a car.

If your meaning of "partying" is primarily what this forum is about - i.e. trips to San.Nic. daily/nightly, then you might want to stay closer to that type of "action" as other posters suggested. But spending 10 days in a relatively remote location - well, i don't know about that...
If you're looking for more "conventional" night life, with occasional trips to San Nic, and considering your other requirements (beach, clean, secure, night activities, WiFI and under $100/night) I'd suggest some of the conventional hotels/timeshare condos on Palm or Eagle beach. Especially if this is your first time on the island and you not quite sure what to expect. You can find deals on Ebay and other internet travel sites. They are farther away from SanNic, so if you drive or take a bus- it's additional 15-25min each way (i din't care about that.) Also, if you neither drive nor willing to take a bus (during the day only, but its' pretty comfortable, with AirCo. NOT a Greyhound!) and call en escort -then it doesn't matter where you stay.

Usually you can find smth. for RENT on Ebay, @ well under $100/night - 4 Divi hotels/timeshares (Village, Phoenix, Golf, Dutch Village), Casa Del Mar, Costa Linda, Playa Linda, etc. You can find reviews on tripadvisor.com. IMHO they all fit your requirements: established hotels, all have plenty of beach, security, AirCo, etc AND are chica-friendly. The Aruban maybe the exception, 'cause they have several different "types" of rooms on the same property. Divi Dutch village is the lower-end, Costa Linda seems to have best rooms/beach. Playa Linda is in the middle of "conventional" night life zone. WiFi , i believe is $35 for a week just about everywhere. If you're near Palm beach - there's a Telephone store across from Hyatt/Playa Linda and in front of Brickell Bay Beach Club, you can rent PC time or wifi w/your own laptop there.
The problem is that they all are 7-night stays, sat-sat, sun-sun, and fri-fri. but you can get 7 nights for under $400, and pay perhaps $50 in taxes upon arrival. The names that i mentioned all have kitchens with everything you may need. When I was on a very tighter budget i saved a few bucks by buying some groceries and sometimes eating breakfast in my room.
In your situation (10 days), I'd try "cover all the bases" and try to rent for at least a week in one of those hotels, and the rest at another place, probably close to San Nic. I'm afraid that 10 days in a hotel that's a taxi ride from both tourist/nightlife area and San.Nic. may not be what you're looking for.

[Liathain]

Below is a link to a page on 'Taxi Rates in Aruba'.

It should give you an idea of how they charge.

Taxis in Aruba do not have meters.
Rates are based on destination rather than mileage.

If you find a helpful driver,
get his phone number and call him in advance
to arrange additional trips. Good Luck.

I simply googled: Aruba taxi Rates

http://aruba-guide.info/getting.around/taxis/

[Liathain]

Sea Breeze Apartments, Pos Chiquito Village, Aruba.
Low Key Dutch Owner & Chica Friendly.

Apartments from $75-$90 a night.

Located on the Ocean @ Mangel Halto Beach,
Directly between the Airport (3 Miles North)
& Sint Nicolas RLD (5 Miles South).

I have stayed there & will stay there again.

A very quiet & private walled complex
with a small store & restaurant only a 1 minute walk away.

Web Site: http://www.sea-breezeappartments.com/welcome/

[Mel365]

St nicolas is a far drive from most of the hotels 20-25 minutes. I would look into having your girlfriend rent a car. I do not believe you can rent a scooter without a license.

I like talk of the town hotel which is about 120 per night it is in town and the closest hotel to St Nicks that is decent.. However you will surely find places cheaper.

St Nicks is kind of seedy so I would make sure to ride around there first in daylight , possibly with a driver paid by the hour to get a feeling for the area and layout. Do not be intimidated by guys hanging around at night asking for money to watch your car--just ignore them.

Some of the chicas have a day off. If you find one you like ask if she has a day off and negociate a TLN price. The area is very depressed with the refinery closed and there are many bargains to be had. Unfortuately, I believe the pickings will be slim.

Mel

[Mel365]

The bars are closed during the day except for one way in the back on the road out of St Nicks.
The action in the daytime is along the first few alleys which are at the back of the bars. Much better than night time, no time limit and no chica drinks.

You might have to circle the block 3 or 4 times to find a chica.
Mel

[Teacup]

San Nick on Jan 4th. I guess that the ladies are yet to return, but it was dead with a capital D.

I got there around 4 in the afternoon and had a beer at the only open bar (Charlies) before allowing the sun to fade and start to wander. Only one bar was open until I left at gone six - It was on teh street the buses go down, and began with a B. I had one beet in this place - they had two gangsta looking girls (tattoos, etc) and that was it.

All others (Chesterfields, Black and White, etc.) were shuttered. A few ladies were working doorways, but they seemed both disinterested and disheartened. A few wannabe punters were cruising in their vehicles, but I saw no sales being made.

So, I hopped me a bus and called it a bust!

[PogoStick]

There should be no problem with escorts. The escort agencies will know how to make it happen. Pick up a copy of the Aruba Today newspaper for escort ads. Any of them are going to be legit and about the same price. You can always just go in thru the casino and head to your room with a girl.

San Nicolaas seems pretty scary but it really isn't bad. Just stay aware as you would anywhere. Zing and I wandered all over the back alleys at night with no problem. Aruba is really one of the safest islands in the Caribbean.

If you are still a bit nervous and have a few extra dollars to burn, a couple of the escort agencies have guided limo tours of SN. They will show you around and keep you safe.

Also, a good time to go to SN is around 3:30 or 4 in the afternoon. At that time you can drive thru all the back alleys and find the girls at the back doors to the clubs. No drinks, key charge or clock watching. You can get a good feel for the town and you'll feel much more comfortable when you go back at night.

Have fun and welcome to the wonderful world of Putanero.

pogo

I will be in Aruba in a week. Do they send escorts to the Holiday Inn, or they don't bother too? Didn't read specifics on the holiday inn?

I will hit up S. N. As well, but I am put off by the economic conditions. I don't want another gun in the face, like in the States. I will be with a friend, and most wouldn't bother us. I will report on both situations.

I have not "mongered" before. I will officially be a mongerer, a monger, a mongera! I won't cut my wrist, or recite any rituals, though LOL.

Any other advice is welcome. HAPPY NEW YEAR!